Curtis Clark Trio

Curtis Clark Trio

May 2  7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Long Center for the Performing Arts

Curtis Clark’s new trio is re-casting of an honored jazz format.

Clark, a paragon of the jazz keyboard carrying the weight of 30-plus years of creative endeavors with some of the leading minds in jazz the world over; as a protégé of the late Horace Tapscott, and sideman/leader with David Murray, Louis Moholo, Julian Priester, Reggie Workman, Ernst Reijseger, Oscar Brown, Jr., Art Taylor, David Murray, Billy Bang, Richard Davis, Abby Lincoln, Charles Tyler, John Tchicai, Willem Breuker, and Han Bennink.

Many consider the piano trio to represent the essence of jazz in terms of the purity of interaction and the dynamics between players. There is no doubt a heavy history of piano trios in jazz reaching all the way to the beginning, with each trio sparking a new conversation within the medium. Bill Evans, Ahmad Jamal, Lyle Mays, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Red Garland, Thelonius Monk, Brad Mehldau, Cedar Walton, Keith Jarrett, Satoko Fuji, Misha Mengelberg, Jason Moran, etc.

In this combo, Clark is joined by one of the most powerful and dynamic rhythm sections in the country, the Gonzalez brothers, Aaron (bass) and Stefan (drums.) Under the tutelage of their father, iconic trumpeter Dennis Gonzalez, the brothers enjoyed a rigorous musical education.  After mastering their instruments at an early age, they have worked to push the creative envelope beyond the perceived limits of style.  The brothers move with aplomb between Mariachi, iterations of rock and hardcore, and of course, jazz.

Fusebox is excited to continue this conversation.  The Clark/Gonzalez trio isn’t about jazz keyboard plus drums and bass. It is three equal parts exploring the dynamics of interaction afforded here within the jazz trio format, and between generations of artists. The sound is powerful, energetic and sophisticated despite completely removing defined roles from the instruments. Pushing this seemingly traditional form to new places, produces some electrifying results.

It is our belief that these types of musicians and these types of conversations are essential to keeping jazz relevant and vibrant in the landscape of contemporary art.